P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton pays a visit to Mercedes after Ferrari testing troubles
Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton paid a visit to his old Mercedes team during pre-season testing in Bahrain this week, as he gears up for his second season with Ferrari in 2026 amid sweeping new regulation changes in the sport. Hamilton and the other 21 drivers are getting triple the amount of testing time to adapt to the new rules and iron out any issues. The veteran driver expressed frustration with the new regulations, requiring a ‘degree’ to fully comprehend them and noting the ‘lowest grip’ he ever experienced at Bahrain International Circuit in his SF-26. Despite the challenges, Hamilton showed improved pace on the final day of testing, fueling hopes for a competitive season ahead. The 41-year-old McLaren driver will be aiming to bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season without a single podium, striving to secure a record eighth world title and overcome the dominance of teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton faces pressure to improve his performance and match Leclerc’s success, following his biggest team-mate defeat and lackluster results in the previous season.
